# ribbon

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈɹɪbən/ · frequency rank #9,527

## Definitions
1. A long, narrow strip of material used for decoration of clothing or the hair or gift wrapping.
2. An awareness ribbon.
3. An inked strip of material against which type is pressed to print letters in a typewriter or printer.
4. A narrow strip or shred.
5. A narrow strip or shred.
6. Alternative form of ribband.
7. A painted moulding on the side of a ship.
8. A watchspring.
9. A bandsaw.
10. Reins for a horse.
11. A bearing similar to the bend, but only one eighth as wide.
12. A sliver.
13. A subheadline presented above its parent headline.
14. A toolbar that incorporates tabs and menus.
15. An apparatus with a handle and a long narrow strip of fabric.
16. An apparatus with a handle and a long narrow strip of fabric.

## Etymology
From Middle English riban, ryban, ryband, from Old French riban, ruban ( > modern French ruban), of uncertain origin. Likely from a Germanic compound whose second element is cognate with English band. Compare Middle Dutch ringhband (“necklace”, literally “ring-band”).

## Easily confused with
- **ripon** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ribbon-vs-ripon)
- **Robson** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ribbon-vs-robson)

## Common misspellings (7)
`irbbon`, `rbibon`, `ribbno`, `ribbonn`, `ribobn`, `ribon`, `rribbon`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/ribbon